Another week, another American Idol. In the wake of recently-released albums from Kris Allen (who finished first in the eighth season of “American Idol”) and Adam Lambert (who finished second, but first in a lot of fans’ hearts), comes “Just Like You,” the debut album from fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta. (If you’re wondering, Danny Gokey finished third that season.) Also out this week: “Untitled” from R&B performer R. Kelly.

During her run on the show, Iraheta developed a well-deserved reputation as a rocker, performing such songs as “Don’t Speak” (No Doubt), “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (Aerosmith) and “Cry Baby” (Janis Joplin) and acquitting herself well. Pop radio is filled with divas with wispy voices–Iraheta’s vocal instrument is forceful and raspy around the edges. She’s young, but old-school. Songs such as “Friday I’ll Be Over U” and “D is for Dangerous” boast rock star swagger, and tracks like “Don’t Waste the Pretty” and “Scars” aim for uplift. Most of the time, Iraheta sounds far older than her 17 years. Her lyrics, however, gleefully reveal and revel in her age: there’s more than one reference to texting on this album. No doubt some eyebrows will be raised over the song “Beat Me Up,” whose lyrics seem to have echoes of domestic violence. You can hear the album streaming here.

R. & B. singer-songwriter R. Kelly is perhaps best-known for his mash-up of soul and soap opera in his serial “Trapped in the Closet,” launched in 2005, which told an increasingly bizarre and delightful story of gunplay, foreplay and little people through songs and videos clips.

His new album, “Untitled,” features singer Keri Hilson on the song “Number One.” Another track, “Pregnant,” features guest singers Tyrese, Robin Thicke and The-Dream. Most of these laid-back pop-soul songs deal with Kelly’s favorite topics: sex, clubbing, drinking, and sex. (“Sex in the morning, sex all day,” go the lyrics to “Echo,” a song which also features ecstatic yodelling.) It’s all familiar territory for Kelly and his fans. Some of Kelly’s lyrics on “Whole Lotta Kisses” are somewhat odd: “Tonight you are my master/ and I will be your slave/ bury myself on in you/ as if you were my grave.” Like Iraheta’s album, ”Untitled” also makes a reference to the communication mode of the moment with “Text Me,” which, for Kelly, is a metaphor for, or a precursor to, more sex. You can hear the whole album streaming here.

Please leave your thoughts on Iraheta’s album and Kelly’s release in the comments section.